Virginia Bowling

BOWLING, Virginia, age 95, of Dayton, passed away Monday, September 25, 2023. Virginia was a first generation American, born August 6, 1928 to Italian immigrants John and Lucretia (Romano) Bretti. In her younger years, she attended Holy Angels and Julienne High School. She went on to marry James Bowling and worked hard to create a warm and loving home for her family.

If you were to visit Virginia’s home, you may have been greeted by the smells of her delicious cooking and heard Frank Sinatra or Ronnie Milsap singing in the background. Or she might have been dancing to the Tennessee Waltz with her beloved husband. Virgina also enjoyed crocheting and word search puzzles. She liked to spend time trying her luck at casinos or relaxing in Gatlinburg. Virginia was devout in her faith, having been a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Church. She was a supporter of Holy Family Catholic Church in Booneville, KY, a supporter of all veterans, and of course, a staunch supporter of her home church, Immaculate Conception. Virginia will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Bowling; her parents; infant brother, Nicholas Bretti, as well as sister, Jeanette M. Brunner, and brothers, Joseph, Frank, Anthony, Ralph, Victor, and Louis Bretti. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Joyce (Robert) Northern, Linda (Patrick) Fullenkamp, and Debra (Thomas) Agnew; grandchildren, Brian (Beth Davis) Andzik, Douglas (Christy McCoy) Prestel, Matthew (Amanda) Agnew, and James Agnew; and great-grandchildren, Lorenzo Prestel, Gianna Prestel, Killian Agnew, and Dean Agnew.

Family will greet friends Sunday, October 1 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 2 at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Rd., Dayton. Virginia will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dayton and Carespring/Hillspring for their excellent care of Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made in Virginia’s name to American Cancer Society or Hospice of Dayton.